"Overall, there has been a slight downturn in those Central Avenue routes. But they mirror, pretty much, what the rest of the rider-ship has shown. It hasn't been a huge downturn," Public Information Officer Rick DeReyes said.

And with fewer people using the system, revenue has also dropped from more than $4.6 million dollars, system-wide, in 2013, to just over $4.2 million last year.

Compare that to an annual average of around $30 million in expenses.

DeReyes said he expects ridership numbers on the Central lines, and throughout the system, to rebound strongly as gas prices rise, and Albuquerque's population expands.

As one of the few bus lines in the Southwest that hasn't raised rates since 2000, DeReyes believes the bus line, and potential ART expansion are worth the investment.